Multiple piece bushing assembly

Abstract

An improved bushing assembly comprising an inner bushing having an outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface, an outwardly-facing threaded surface, and an inwardly-facing cylindrical surface adapted to engage a shaft, an outer bushing having first and second bushing bearing surfaces and an inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface in sliding engagement with the outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface of the inner bushing, a nut having an inwardly-facing threaded surface in mating engagement with the outwardly-facing threaded surface of the inner bushing and first and second nut bearing surfaces radially overlapping the first and second bushing bearing surfaces of the outer bushing, whereby rotation of the nut in first and second rotational directions relative to the inner bushing moves the outer bushing in first and second axially directions to operatively tighten or untighten, respectively, the inner bushing around the shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bushing assembly comprising:
 an inner bushing orientated about a longitudinal axis;   said inner bushing having an outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface, an outwardly-facing threaded surface, and an inwardly-facing cylindrical surface adapted to engage a shaft;   an outer bushing orientated about said longitudinal axis;   said outer bushing having a first bushing bearing surface orientated in a plane transverse to said longitudinal axis, a second bushing bearing surface orientated in a plane transverse to said longitudinal axis, and an inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface in sliding engagement with said outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface of said inner bushing;   a nut orientated about said longitudinal axis;   said nut having an inwardly-facing threaded surface in mating engagement with said outwardly-facing threaded surface of said inner bushing;   said nut having a first nut bearing surface orientated in a plane transverse to said longitudinal axis and radially overlapping said first bushing bearing surface of said outer bushing; and   said nut having a second nut bearing surface orientated in a plane transverse to said longitudinal axis and radially overlapping said second bushing bearing surface of said outer bushing;   whereby rotation of said nut about said longitudinal axis in a first rotational direction relative to said inner bushing moves said outer bushing in a first axially direction relative to said inner bushing to operatively tighten said inner bushing around said shaft, and rotation of said nut about said longitudinal axis in a second rotational direction relative to said inner bushing moves said outer bushing in a second axially direction relative to said inner bushing to operatively untighten said inner bushing around said shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The bushing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said nut comprises an annular groove having a first annular side surface and a second annular side surface;   said outer bushing comprises an annular flange having a first annular side surface and a second annular side surface;   said annular flange of said outer bushing is received in said annular groove of said nut; and   said first annular side surface of said annular groove comprises said first nut bearing surface, said second annular side surface of said annular groove comprises said second nut bearing surface, said first annular side surface of said annular flange comprises said first bushing bearing surface, and said second annular side surface of said annular flange comprises said second bushing bearing surface.   
     
     
         3 . The bushing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said outer bushing comprises an outwardly-facing surface comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending gear teeth. 
     
     
         4 . The bushing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said inwardly-facing frusto-conical surface of said outer bushing and said opposed outwardly-facing frusto-conical surface of said inner bushing each have a coefficient of friction less than said inwardly-facing cylindrical surface of said inner bushing. 
     
     
         5 . The bushing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first nut bearing surface comprises an annular face of said nut, said first bushing bearing surface comprises an annular end face of said outer bushing, said second nut bearing surface comprises an annular flange of said nut, and said second bushing bearing surface comprises an annular shoulder of said outer bushing.